In this far reaching episode of Things I Want My Daughters to Know, I sit down with functional medicine practitioner Dr. Jim Chaltis for a fascinating conversation about the interconnected nature of women's health—and why looking at one hormone, one symptom or one lab result in isolation can mean we miss the bigger picture.
We explore the differences between conventional and functional medicine, including why a result being within the standard laboratory reference range doesn't necessarily tell us everything about how well the body is functioning.
We take a deep dive into thyroid health—why thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune thyroid conditions are so prevalent in women, the limitations of looking at TSH alone, and the complex relationship between thyroid hormones, estrogen, cortisol, the liver, gut health and metabolism.
But this conversation goes far beyond the thyroid.
Jim explains why PCOS—or PMOS—is increasingly being understood through a metabolic lens, and how insulin resistance, blood sugar and testosterone can become caught in a cycle that affects women's hormones, weight and overall health.
We also explore what happens as women enter perimenopause and menopause, when fluctuating hormones intersect with stress, inflammation, blood sugar regulation, thyroid function and metabolic health.
And importantly, we talk about why menopause shouldn't automatically become another condition to diagnose or "fix."
We also challenge some of the conventional thinking around cholesterol, statins and cardiovascular risk, and discuss why LDL cholesterol alone may not provide the full picture of a woman's cardiovascular health.
This is a conversation about asking better questions, connecting the dots and understanding the body as an interconnected system rather than a collection of individual symptoms.
🎙️ If this episode resonated with you, please share, subscribe, rate and review the podcast—it helps more women and practitioners find these conversations.
And most importantly listen to this episode with your daughters!
✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
https://afunctionalapproach.net/
https://www.youtube.com/@afunctionalapproachpodcast
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